Gaelic college anniversary concert a return to roots for Wendy MacIsaac

By Elizabeth Patterson - Cape Breton Post

ST. ANNS — For Wendy MacIsaac, this Saturday's appearance at the Gaelic college's 75th anniversary grand finale concert is bringing back some fond memories from her childhood.

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"I remember as a child going to some outdoor concerts ... with my grandparents and my parents — I just loved it," said the fiddler in a phone interview from Cavendish, P.E.I., earlier this week. "It was so great. You're not in a theatre. As a kid, you can run around a bit and still experience the music.

"I think the whole week is full of such amazing music and to have Ashley there as well and Jimmy Rankin, I think it's going to be a great concert."

MacIsaac will be performing with friend and long-time collaborator, Gaelic singer Mary Jane Lamond. The two have been touring together for 18 years and earlier this year, released their album Seinn (pronounced Shane). It's at least the fifth time the two have recorded together even though it's their first complete album collaboration.

"We have a good working relationship and a good friendship as well."

And if one concert wasn't enough, MacIsaac will also be performing with Beolach later that evening for the pub night, along with Buddy MacDonald.

"Beolach hasn't played for it's going on three years, just because everyone has been going in some different directions," said MacIsaac. "So we're definitely looking forward to that. It's going to be busy. I'm still not sure what I'm going to be doing with the kids. I have two and I take them with me but I'm going to be playing until 2 in the morning. So, my dad is going to have to help me on that day. "

It's a typically busy summer weekend for the fiddler, generally considering one of the best traditional Cape Breton players around with her bright yet warm, smooth-as-glass sound and precise playing style. Now living with her family in Halifax, she regularly tours around the world but has never forgotten about her roots at the Gaelic college.

"I believe it might have been my first year, so I was 13, and I took lessons from Kyle MacNeil (of the Barra MacNeils) which was great," she recalled. "Kyle's not really that much older than me but he was just 19 or something, so that was fantastic. Kyle is a great teacher and such an amazing player. I spent two weeks there and I learned how to play "Christy Campbell" and all kinds of amazing tunes, so it was really good. There's not too many people you run into that play the pipes or fiddle or some other instrument that haven't spent at least one summer there."

Because the college has been around for so long, it's had an important role in keeping the music alive so future generations can also learn about it.

"The Gaelic college has been consistent with its eight-week programs so any time we're away and people say where could we go to learn this music, it's nice to know the Gaelic college has been there for so long and it's always has top-notch instructors and everything is run quite well," said MacIsaac.

"I know it's run well because I have taught there myself in the past. A lot of people from away come because of us giving recommendations . It's truly important. "

She also believes it's important for Cape Bretoners to support the college by taking part in the programs and coming out to see the concerts when they're scheduled.

"I definitely think it's an important week for people to support the college," she said.

"The college is bringing in a lot of good music for the week and it's all local music and that's great. Of course it's nice to have outside music but seeing that we have so much talent at home and to be able to have it in one location for a week-long event, it's just amazing."

The grand finale concert will be held in the outdoor performance centre at 4 p.m. and the after-hours pub will begin at 10 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Clans.